The Arakan Army (AA) intercepted a group of 100military council soldiers, who were retreating from AungMingalar and Taung Phyu mountain regions in Pan Myaungvillage under Minbya township near the Mrauk-U town policebattalion camp and exchanged heavy gun fires.

Even twohelicopters were sent in by the junta forces to target AA members.

"We heard thesound of gunshots by 3 pm on Wednesday. At around 4:30 pm, two helicoptersarrived and started firing from the sky. After 5 pm,the helicopters departed and the gun fighting stoppedby 6 pm,” said a Mrauk-U resident.

Another residentinformed Narinjara News that both the military helicopters fired continuously.

"The policebattalions also used artillery shells and small weapons to target the AAmembers,” added the resident.

He also informed thatthe villagers were terrified by the gun firing.

"It'sfrightening. The situation is tense. We want to livesafely and peacefully," he asserted.

The clash eruptedwhen the AA members attacked the retreating junta troopsfrom Pan Myaung village. A fierce clash between the two armedgroups lasted for about an hour.

The soldiersfled from the camps in Pan Myaungvillage and retreated to Purein village and then to theMrauk-U town police battalion's camp.

Number of casualtiesout of the clash is yet to be known.

The local residentsinformed that two artillery shells exploded in Aung Mingalar Thet villageduring the clash.

Likewise, anartillery shell landed in Yadanar Man Aung pagoda compound inMrauk-U locality

There are alsoreports that artillery shells landed in the vicinity of Wan Tee mountain, YwarHaung Taw and Tha Yet Oke villages.

The helicopters alsoopened fire on Nyaung Pinlel village on their return journey.

On 13 December,over 100 soldiers fled from Purein village under Mrauk-U townshipand later they joined the police battalion near KoeThaung pagoda in the same township.